Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: What’s the Difference?

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are designed to improve interaction with the car information and entertainment system. The smartphone is fully used via the buttons on the steering wheel or the car dashboard panel.

It is hard to imagine modern cars without synchronization with a smartphone. A navigation system, voice calls, favorite music, messages - everything is displayed on the multimedia screen, which makes driving much easier and safer. Let's figure out what strengths and weaknesses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have.

Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay: Comparing Car Services

The Android Auto service is available for download on devices with Android version 5 and higher. Starting with Android 10, the functions are built into the system - you don't need to install anything additional. CarPlay, developed by Apple, is pre-installed on all modern iPhones (all models newer than iPhone 5). The application is not supported on iPad.

But a lot also depends on your car model. More than 500 models support Android Auto technology, including popular US brands: Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Nissan. Check the compatibility of your car model and the application at any time on the Android Auto website.

By default, CarPlay supports about 600 models from a wide variety of modern cars. CarPlay is even available on some motorcycles, like Harley-Davidson and Honda.

As for older autos, where the factory infotainment system does not provide a CarPlay or Android Auto connection, you may purchase a special media device that supports the corresponding service.

Connection: Is Apple CarPlay easier to use than Android Auto?

Both services can be connected to the car system via cable or wirelessly, following the instructions on the smartphone screen. However, in CarPlay, the process of pairing the smartphone with the car is faster. In addition, when connecting an Android smartphone for the initial setup, you will still need a cable and Bluetooth, while the iPhone does not require this.

There is another nuance: the wireless method is supported only by Android smartphones with Android 11.0 and newer, Google or Samsung models with Android 10.0, as well as Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Note 8 with Android 9.0. The gadget must also support 5 GHz Wi-Fi. That is, a mid-price smartphone based on Android 10 will not be able to connect to the car "over the air". Apple CarPlay has no such restrictions.

In both cases, you need to carry the cable with you — the wireless connection noticeably drains the smartphone battery.

In general, many drivers are still dissatisfied with the wireless connection in both apps: the pairing between the smartphone and the car system sometimes fails. The developers constantly release updates for this function, assuring some improvements to appear with each iteration. 

Which UI is more friendly in cars: Apple vs. Android

The CarPlay main screen resembles the iOS interface — it won’t take long to get used to it. The icons are large and easy to press while driving. The interface works smoothly, without delays or shaking while scrolling. You will rarely encounter crashes and errors in the system itself — Apple pays close attention to bugs and quickly fixes them.

Android Auto is often inferior in animation speed: apps take longer to open, and frames sometimes disappear. During a trip, scrolling through the menu is complicated by the road relief or the intensity of the traffic flow. Unfortunately, users complain that Android Auto does not forgive sharp finger movements on the screen - instead of a smooth interface, you will get delays and freezes.

Despite the delays in app operation, the Android Auto interface may seem more convenient than CarPlay. For example, frequently used applications are displayed in the top row, and a widget with media controls is at the bottom of the screen. But Apple CarPlay also shows the three most recent applications that the user has visited on the screen.

Navigation: What do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto use?

By default, Android Auto uses Google Maps, and CarPlay uses Apple Maps. If you are more accustomed to other programs, the services permit installing third-party apps.

Overall, Google Maps has a more intuitive interface and higher geolocation accuracy. Users also note that not only maps but also other Google services work better in CarPlay.

Calls and messages via CarPlay and Android analog

CarPlay and Android Auto implement a safety feature while driving, allowing the driver to receive calls and make calls using voice commands. If you need to dial a specific number, the number keys in both applications are quite large.

In Android Auto, the driver can manage calls without interrupting navigation thanks to the split-screen mode. CarPlay expands the call panel to the full screen, which creates some inconvenience while driving.

You can write text messages remotely using a voice assistant in both apps. Apple CarPlay supports WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage. Android Auto, in addition to Google Messages, can offer WhatsApp, Telegram, and Skype.

Both systems display notifications on the dashboard as a banner but handle them differently. In the case of CarPlay, notifications appear at the bottom of the screen and remain available for reading for about 10 seconds. You can read and respond to them using Siri.

Android Auto, in addition to standard actions, offers to dismiss the notification or turn on Do Not Disturb mode for any contact or group.

Apple CarPlay multimedia compared to Android Auto

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are equal in media playback, they quickly recognize song titles and play a track with a voice command without delay.

The multi-screen mode in Android Auto allows you to control music without closing other applications. Apple CarPlay does not have a separate widget for controlling music, so if you want to use the map and the music app simultaneously, you will have to switch between programs frequently.

Both services do not allow watching videos for security reasons.

Android vs. Apple voice assistants in cars

In Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice assistants have the same basic functionality: they let you make and receive calls and text messages hands-free, play music, set and change navigation routes, and more.

The app interfaces also include a dedicated button to call up Google Assistant and Siri when the activation phrase — “OK Google” or “Hey Siri” — doesn’t work.

In the latest update to Google Assistant, the developers introduced improved artificial intelligence, which is based on models similar to ChatGPT and Bard. For example, when you’re being bombarded with messages in a group chat, the voice assistant will select summaries to read out loud and suggest responses to make it easier to chat while driving.

Key Takeaways

CarPlay differs from Android Auto in the following ways:

• Compatibility: CarPlay only works with Apple iPhones, while Android Auto works with smartphones based on the Android operating system.
• Interface: CarPlay has a simple layout, with easy-to-read text and large icons. The system has two main screens: the main (home) screen and the information panel, which the user can easily switch. In Android Auto, the interface looks like a simplified phone screen with all the applications available on its desktop.
• Number of apps: CarPlay has a limited number of third-party programs. Android Auto has a much larger number of apps available.
• Default navigation: Android Auto uses Google Maps, while CarPlay uses Apple Maps.

In general, the choice of car multimedia is based on your smartphone preferences. If you doubt whether your chosen car model supports your device, contact us to discuss the compatibility and choose the best option from our Indianapolis car lot.